Lanesboro Ballyleague notes
Book Launch
On Saturday last the Corlea Trackway Centre was filled to overflowing for the launch of Martin Carberry’s book “Wood of the Stony Land”. It was wonderful to see so many different generations from Derryhaun and the many that travelled long distances to celebrate with Martin. The support of so many old faces created a great emotion within Martin as he addressed the large attendance. The attended audience were enthralled with the new book and the included paintings and poetry – all Martin’s own work. This book captures the memories of Martin growing up in Derryhaun in the 60’s and stories from his times mingling in all the surrounding communities. His art works are treasurers and in 1991 he held his own exhibition to great acclaim and he is now doing commission work. As mentioned previously the Carberry families in Derryhaun have the uniqueness of being incredibly artistic in all sections of the arts and music and this is just another example of the amazing talents of the Carberry family.
Wood of the Stony Land is for sale in O’Brien’s costing just €15.
Death
A great cloud of darkness encompassed our area on Tuesday last 20th August when the most vibrant and exuberant lady of our community passed away in the care of Roscommon Hospice. Marie McGarry, Gardenstown, formerly our own Marie Greene, daughter of Harry and Kathleen Greene. Marie was predeceased by her sisters Anne, Celine and Colette and her brothers Pat and Harry (Henry). Marie was the most energetic lady imaginable who had a magnificent lust for life. She never waited for things to be done she just went and done them herself and always with a great spirit. When you met Marie you could not be enthused by her energy and that wonderful smile and laugh. In her early life she went to England before returning to Dublin where she trained as a hairdresser and it was in that ‘fair city’ that she met and won the heart of her husband Philip McGarry. She had a great love of her home area and consequently herself and Philip came to make their home in Gardenstown on the banks of the Shannon and Philip set up his engineering business on the Longford Road. Marie for a time ran a successful B&B in Gardenstown before working in The Abbey Hotel and at the Roscommon Hospital in the reception and medical section. Her choice of careers shows you that Marie was a people person. She was never happier than being in the midst of people whether it was her workmates, her guests or the grandchildren that she absolutely adored. Wherever Marie went she brought her exuberance, her generosity of spirit, her great taste in colourful style her spirit, her work ethic and inspiration. Marie love home, she loved to cook, spend many hours gardening and indeed spoiled everyone that arrived at her door. She loved being active and along with her great friend Monica Fallon they could be seen walking locally, cycling all over the place or exploring some other far away part of the country. When Marie was first diagnosed a number of years ago she met her challenge with an indomitable spirit and a will that seen her achieve and live a happy and carefree life. Hers was an example of how we should all face our trials and tribulations as Marie did and come out smiling on the other side. Her absolute spirit, laughter and personality will be forever missed. Rest easy Maire you will be sadly missed.
Her remains reposed at Smyth’s Funeral Home on Friday last followed by removal to St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro. Marie’s Funeral Mass took place on Saturday followed by burial in Clonbonny cemetery. To her husband Phil, her son Darren, her daughter Tanya, her brothers Pete, Tom and Mike, her sisters Helen and Olive, adored grandchildren Conor, Naoise, Sionna and Fodhla, her abiding friend Monica, relatives and many friends we extend our sincere sympathy.
Leaving Cert Results
Friday last saw great excitement in and around our community when the results of the Leaving Cert came out. By all accounts the Principal and staff of Lanesboro Community College were once again delighted with the results attained by the student year of 24.
For all the students it is a further progression in their lives and we look forward to see them using their undoubted abilities to be very successful in their future careers. The very best of luck into the future to the class of 24.
Death
Those of us that remember have fond memories of the times of the Convent of Mercy and it Primary and National schools and after their closure the Sisters of Mercy living in our community will also remember Sr. Kathleen. The news of the death on Thursday 15th August of one of the mainstays from that time was met with a great sense of loss. Sr. Kathleen Owens died peacefully at the University Hospital Galway. She was professed into the Sisters of Mercy 68 years and was a native of Kenagh village and was predeceased by her parents William and Brigid and her sister Alma Shine. Sr. Kathleen was a nun with exceptional intelligence who was always enthusiastic to share her knowledge and her abilities with everyone. Her legacy will always be bestowed upon her as a woman who had a wonderful ability in science and maths as a teacher, a woman with remarkable qualities as an artist with the local Brush Strokes group, someone who was excellent in playing the piano and a woman that loved baking. Sr. Kathleen was a free spirited nun and would always be recognised a lady that spoke her mind. She had a uniqueness that ensured that everyone she met was always left the better for their meeting. Such was the depth of her faith that through her illness she offered up the pain she suffered each day to some cause close to her heart and the suffering of others. Sr. Kathleen will always be remembered as being a wonderful benefit to our community.
Her remains reposed in Stella Maria on Sunday 18th. On Monday her remains arrived at St. Mary’s Church, Lanesboro for Mass of the Resurrection and burial followed in Clonbonny Cemetery. We extend our deepest sympathy to the Sisters of Mercy Western Province, the communities of Stella Maria, Lanesboro and Coolarne relatives and many friends.
Shamrock 165
Shamrock 165 is a trilogy of books written by Sligo native Gavin Walsh on the first ever Aer Lingus plane crashed on Snowdonia National Park, Wales
This is the true story of both the Irish nation’s and Aer Lingus first fatal crash, which occurred in Snowdonia National Park, North Wales on Thursday 10th January 1952. Gavin spent 13 years researching, writing and compiling the ‘Shamrock 165’ trilogy. His final results are diametrically opposed to both the British and Irish Government’s official investigation findings. The author has accumulated more than 1000 never-supposed-to-see the light of day documents; many of which illustrated in the 3 volumes. The story also details the lives of all the 23 victims who perished on that night almost 73 years ago.
On board was local Rathcline lady Evelyn Belton which makes this book of great interest to locals.
This is a fascinating trilogy of books delving into every aspect of the crash and a tremendous read. The books can be bought in O’Brien’s at a cost of just €65 for the set of three or individually Book 1 at €25, Book 2 at €20 and Book 3 at €30.
Lanesboro ICA
Lanesboro ICA Guild will hold their first Meeting of the new season in the Parish Hub on Wednesday 11th September commencing with an Autumn Wreath Making Demonstration at 7pm followed by the Meeting at 8pm. New members are very welcome.
Sympathy
Our deepest sympathy to Jimmy and Maura Hudson and their family, Ballyleague on the death on Thursday 15th August at Roscommon Hospice of Jimmy’s brother Thomas Hudson, The Maisonettes, Boyle. Thomas was laid to rest in Assylinn Cemetery on Saturday 17th August.
Break In’s
On Tuesday morning last we awoke to the news that two premises on the Main Street were broken into during the dead of night. Both premises broken into were fast food outlets, the Village Inn Pizza and Tasty Kebab and Pizza. The break in’s happened in between 4.15am and 4.50am. If anybody happened to be travelling through the Main Street at that hour they are asked to contact the Gardaí in Longford.
There is a pattern of break in’s in the region over the past number of weeks and if anybody sees anything they feel is suspicions they should immediately contact Longford Garda Station phone 043 33 50570.
Be very aware: Further to the piece above it is very important that people are fully aware that there is currently a lot of shenanigans going on at present and if you see or hear anything you should immediately ring 999 or Longford Garda Station 043 33 50570.
In the past week or so there has been a person representing himself as from ESB with a high visibility jacket. Some people have allowed him into their premises but he is not from ESB. It is never wise to allow anyone into your home.
During the dark of night there have been reports of strange cars cruising slowly through the community and estates. It is very important that anyone with CCTV and dash cams always review them on a daily basis and if anything shows up to notify the Gardaí immediately. There is no time of the day that we should not be alert to noticing anything unusual. We are going into the time of year that it is very important to be alert and report absolutely everything no matter how trivial it might seem.
At the slightest sight of anything suspicious it is essential that the Gardaí are rang immediately. As it happens last weekend a businessperson in the town had reason to be at their premises until 5am and during that time there were suspicious cars cruising up and down the town. Up to the time he left he said that he had not seen any Garda car on the Main Street.
Why no Gardaí
As readers to these notes will know I have been on about the demise of our Garda station for many years and in particular the running down of Garda numbers attached to Lanesboro. I hear the common response that Lanesboro is no different than other communities with dwindling Garda numbers.
If that is so then the question you have to ask is what is happening within the Garda hierarchy if they are allowing this to happen countrywide. There has been a constant dwindling in the force and amazingly nobody has cried halt.
One has to ask why so many are leaving the force before retirement and why the numbers applying, of previous times, are now not applying to go into the force. What has changed that made people thinking of applying for what was such an attractive job so disillusioned? Perhaps this question has not been asked of the Minister for Justice, Garda Commissioner or the upper echelons of the Gardaí. It should be shouted very loudly by our politicians who must surely be seeing and hearing of all the disquiet in communities about the lack of policing or are they waiting for the upcoming November election canvassing to make us that promise?
The greatest anomaly of all, as I have highlighted previously, is Lanesboro and Ballyleague are both in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division. Our one community and I stress one community is policed by two Garda stations as neither can cross the county boundary except for the traffic corp. It beggars belief that a community such as ours divided by a river should also be divided by the Gardaí. Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division living true to the name – division.
As a community we should not be policed by one Garda and the old tale of 3 Gardaí been stationed in Lanesboro do not cut as two of them are always called for their duty to Longford Town. This Garda is due to retire soon and the fear is that the same procedure will happen again once he retires. Our Garda Sergeant Martina Reddington retired in March 2023 and to date nobody has been appointed into her position – we have the current sergeant in Ballymahon including Lanesboro as part of his duty. The danger is that the Garda hierarchy will see that Lanesboro station is not required and we can be policed from elsewhere. It would then mean that our community would be policed on both sides from stations more than 15Kms (10miles) away. There is a great travesty of justice in the way we are being policed and there is only so much the ordinary Garda force on the ground can do but taking them out of our community is not the correct option.
Harvest Festival
The very first Sliabh Bán Harvest Festival will take place at Ballybeg, Strokestown on Sunday 29th September. The show is being organised by the Mid Roscommon Vintage Club in no better location than the foot of Sliabh Bán. The club is renowned for its terrific displays at many festivals and I am very sure that this one in Ballybeg will top the lot for excitement and visual displays. On display will be vintage machinery, vintage cars, threshing and stone crushing, displays by blacksmith/farrier, arts and crafts. There will also be live music and lots of family entertainment. The admission to the Festival will be €10 with children going in free.
Coffee Morning Request
The team in the Mayo Roscommon Hospice are calling for people to host a coffee morning, evening with family, friends or work colleagues on National Coffee morning for Hospice Thursday 26th September or on another date if suits you better. Please register for your free pack online at https://www.hospice.ie/coffee/ , email info@hospice.ie or call 094 9388666. Donations welcome online at www.hospice.ie Please support.
Championship Update
On Friday night last Rathcline travelled to Leo Casey Park Ballymahon for their dead rubber game against Killoe. Minus a few of our team, in the end a strong Killoe emerged convincing winners. Rathcline will take on Colmcille on Sunday next in Keenan Park, Ardagh at 2.30pm. With both sides having already qualified for the quarter final draw this show prove an excellent workout for both sides and hopefully a tight and exciting game.
Talking about exciting games, this is what we got in Ballyleague on Saturday evening last when St. Faithleach’s played hosts to Western Gaels in the championship. With a huge amount at stake for both sides this game went down to the wire with our St. Faithleach’s side emerging victorious by just one nail-biting point.
All roads lead to Ballyforan on Friday evening next 30th August for the final group game when St. Faithleach’s will play Michael Glaveys.
Let’s hope that it will be successful weekend for both our teams. Good luck lads.
Pilgrimage to Knock
The annual Ardagh and Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday 1st September. Ceremonies will commence with the anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm. Mass will take place at 3pm and this will be followed by the Rosary Procession at 4pm. The Pilgrimage will be led by Bishop Paul Connell. There is a Diocesan bus service from Lanesboro and the return fare is €15. Please contact Maireád at the parish office 3321166 or call to the office.
Joggers, Runners
Are you interested in being part of a running group? This is for people no matter what their fitness level or running ability. This is a group for fun runners, joggers and those that want to push themselves a bit more. Cloonwood Arc group is a local group and for more information contact Seamus O’Brien 086 6612250.
King of the Lake
The Lough Ree Lanesborough Angling Hub is delighted to announce that the King of the Lake 2024 International Pike Festival is open for entries.
The event will have over 40 prizes totalling €11,500 and will be run over two days of fishing on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th September – it is a boat fishing competition and anglers must be in a boat while fishing. Lure fishing, fly fishing and dead baits are the only methods allowed. Anglers may only use two rods. There must be at least two people in each boat and a maximum of three anglers and a maximum of four rods fishing at a time. You can sign up now on their Google form – go to the Facebook page and click the link https://www.facebook.com/Loughreeangling
Local notes inclusion
Anybody that wants items included in the local notes is advised that they have their note with me on a Sunday night at the very latest. This is to ensure inclusion in the coming weeks notes.
Rathcline 50/50
On Monday 19th August the Rathcline GAA 50/50 weekly draw took place in Adie’s Bar under the stewardship of Peter Skelly and Gerdie Farrell.. The jackpot for Monday night was again very considerable at over €600. The winner this week was Diarmuid Hanly who was the winner of €610. As usual, the winning cheque can always be collected in O’Brien’s.
The Rathcline 50/50 draw takes place every Monday night in one of our local bars at 7.30pm. Your continued generous support is greatly appreciated, and your great support is highlighted by the large pools every week – thank you.
Memory Café
Roscommon Dementia Alliance hosts a monthly café in Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle to help support people affected by dementia, their families and carers. The next month’s event takes place on Wednesday, September 18th from 2 – 4 p.m. and will include music, song, advice and a chat. If you would like to attend you are asked to visit www.roscommondementia.ie or contact Teresa Keegan on 087 7061183.
Tommy Fleming in Concert
Tickets for the Tommy Fleming Rathcline GAA hosted concert are rapidly running out. The legendary Tommy Fleming will perform in St. Mary’s Church on Sunday 24th November at 8pm. Described as the ‘Voice of Ireland’ and to have someone of his stature coming to sing in our community is truly amazing. I know that the concert is a while away but don’t delay in buying or booking your tickets as they are selling very fast. Tickets are on sale online too and Tommy’s popularity means that those tickets will be snapped up by people from outside the area who follow him wherever he plays. A further allocation of 50 tickets arrived this week and already there are a good number sold. Online sales are available https://tommyfleming.com/concert-tickets/ and you must act fast as they are proving to be very popular. Tickets are for unreserved seating and they cost €35 each.
Weekly Card Game
The results of last Sunday night’s game held in the Parish Hall are joint 1st Kathleen and Annie, 2nd Jonno and Tom. Last game winners were Pat Rock & Frank McCormack. Raffle winners were Brendan Hanley, Peggy Moran, Martin McDermott and Gerry Leavy. The game takes place every Sunday night in the hall at 8.30pm. New card players will always be welcome. Light refreshments are always served
Lanesboro Library
Lanesboro Library will be hosting exercise classes for an 8 week period starting on Friday 6th September at 12.30pm. The class is entitled ‘Moving for Better Balance’ and you are invited to contact Teresa in the library for booking and further information. 3321291 or lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
The library will be hosting Digital Skill classes in the library from 10am to 1pm on Wednesday 28th August and continuing each Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th September and Wednesday 2nd, 9th, and 16th, October. This is a free one-to-one digital skill sessions for anyone who needs help with computers, smartphones and tablets. You are invited to contact Teresa in the library for booking and further information. 3321291 or lanesborolibrary@longfordcoco.ie
Visit Corlea
Right on our doorstep the fabulous Iron Age Trackway is situated in Corlea just 13km from Lanesboro. This very unique Trackway has an 18m long section of original Trackway the largest ever discovered in Europe is displayed at the Visitor Centre. You learn how people lived at the time and murals depict implements of the time.
This is one of Ireland’s most famous hidden treasures and it is a place that should be visited and bring your visitors to this wonderful experience.
Visiting the centre is free of charge and the excellent local facilitators will bring you thought the experience and leave you in awe such is their knowledge.
Tidy Towns Lottery
The weekly Tidy Towns lottery draw took place in O’Brien’s on Tuesday last 20th August for a jackpot of €15,000. The numbers drawn were 5, 17, 18, and 29. There was nobody with the good fortune to have the correct four numbers drawn out and the jackpot of €15,000 remains the same for the next Tuesday draw. The winner of the €50 prize was Josh, Emma and Zara Curran, and the three €20 prizes went to Michael Kelly, Colehill, c/o O’Brien’s, Majella c/o mags and Kevin McKenna, Killashee.
The draw will take place in O’Brien’s every Tuesday morning.
Lough Derg Pilgrimage
The annual one-day pilgrimage to Lough Derg will take place this year on Sunday 25th August. The bus will leave from Ballyleague Church at 7am and will pass through Scramogue, Rooskey and Carrick-on-Shannon. Booking is essential and bookings and further details are available by contacting Mary at 043 33 21969
Access for All boat
Have you availed of the wonderful experience on our doorstep? The Access for All boat is for everybody and it takes you on a 90 minute trip out onto the lake as see its beauty and some of the islands on Lough Ree. The boat can cater for three large wheelchairs, but you don’t have to be a wheelchair user to avail of the excellent trips. Sailing times daily for the 90 minute trip are 10.00am, 12.00pm and 2.30pm. Guided fishing excursions can also be organised. Advanced booking is recommended. You can contact by email www.loughreeboattrips.com or phone 089 2625505 or 043 33 84175
Community Employment Scheme
Western Alzheimer’s Roscommon has vacancies on their Community Employment Scheme for Dementia Specific Health Care Support Assistant to join our Community In-Home Respite Service Team. They are looking for friendly, approachable, honest, reliable and committed individuals who can make a connection with their clients in a supportive capacity and assist them to partake in their activities of daily living. Please call the Roscommon office on 090 6627816, they would love to hear from you!!
Lanesboro Garda Station
Lanesboro Garda Station has just posted a notice telling of its opening times where the station will have a member of the force in attendance for the public. Lanesboro station will be open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9am to 11am. The station will be open at those times unless the local Garda is dealing with a situation that requires their attendance.
Local Health Service
Local Heath Service is available at Roscommon University Hospital. The service will deal with urgent and routine health problems. The Freephone phone number to ring is 1800 700700.
For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@alone.ie or phone 086 0145 829.
Lough Derg 2024 pilgrimage season
One Day Retreats take place during August and September. For more information or bookings you are asked to contact 071 9861518, info@loughderg.org or website www.loughderg.org
Line Dancing For All
They say that Line Dancing, stimulates the brain, reduces stress, reduces risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, increases mental capacity, improves posture and balance, tones the body, strengthens bones and muscles, provides opportunity to socialize and meet people and its suitable and popular for all ages and all abilities.
Line Dancing classes take place every Friday morning 11am at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town.
Line Dancing classes every Sunday at the Quad Centre Roscommon Town for beginners from 6pm to 7pm and Improvers from 7pm to 8pm
Dance classes takes place in Kilbride, Four Mile House every Tuesday 7pm followed by:
Jive & Waltz classes 8 45pm.
Crochet for Children
Crochet classes for children in the Parish Hall on Friday evening from 3pm to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 30 am to 12 30 pm. Enquiries to Virginia on 086 2036542.
Learn to play Guitar
Have you ever thought of learning to play the guitar? Complete beginner guitar lessons are now available in the Lanesboro area. For booking and further details phone 087 7774203.
Co. Longford Citizens Advice Centre
Co. Longford Citizens Information Service has recently been restructured and is currently under new management.
They continue to provide free, impartial, and confidential information, advice, and advocacy services to the public on social services, rights, and entitlements. The range of areas covered by the citizens information centre are extremely wide including social welfare rights and entitlements and other social issues such as employment, health services, housing, education, family matters and consumer rights, all where people need access to information.
The way people access the services changed during Covid and now they currently deal with a large number of queries over the telephone, however, they continue to provide our drop-in times and welcome people to their face-to-face service five mornings a week from the Longford office. The services are provided by experienced trained Information Officers who are there to help you.
The centre is located on level 1 within Longford Shopping Centre and direction can be obtained at the reception desk from Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 5.00pm. The office closes for lunch from 1pm until 2pm.
The Employability Service
Is an Employment and Recruitment Service to assist people with a disability or health issue to pursue and maintain employment in the open labour market? If you are over 18, have a disability or health issue and would consider working part-time then you should contact Employment Services Roscommon support to help find you a job in your area. This is a confidential and free individualised service funded by the Department of Social Protection.
Are you managing mental health issues? There is the opportunity for Individual Placement and Support (IPS) that is funded by the HSE and offers a range of tailored personalised supports to people using mental health services who wish to work. For further information you should phone 090 66 28608 or call/text 087 3745307. They can also be contacted via email at info@rosemp.ie
Alcohol Anon Meetings
Relatives and friends of those addicted to alcohol are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral. The meetings take place every Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Ballyleague Bingo
Ballyleague Bingo continues in Ballyleague Hall every Thursday night. The first numbers will be called at 8.30pm.
The club is extremely grateful for your on-going tremendous support.
ALONE
ALONE is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home.
Our work is for all older people and aims to improve physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. We have a national network of staff and volunteers who provide an integrated system of Support Coordination, Practical Supports, Befriending, a variety of Phone Services, Social Prescribing, Housing with Support and Assistive Technology.
We use individualised support plans, to address health, financial benefits and supports, social care, housing, transport and other arising needs using technology and through harnessing other services.
We work to empower the whole sector of community support for older people through our Community Impact Network that provides Training, IT support and resources to other organisations.
Support line for older people
ALONE manage a national support line and additional support for older people who have concerns or are facing difficulties relating to Covid-19. Professional staff is available to answer queries and give advice and reassurance where necessary. The support line is open seven days a week from 8am until 8pm. Text TALK to 50808 to begin.
Alcohol Anon Meetings
Relatives and friends of alcoholics are welcome to attend meetings in the Family Centre building at the back of St. Mel’s Cathedral on St. Mel’s Road, any Tuesday evening at 7pm.
Local Health Service
The health service is here for us all, from routine to urgent calls. HSELive is here 7 days a week to answer questions. The number to ring is Freephone 1800 700700.
Roscommon University Hospital Injury Unit is available from 8am to 8pm seven days, a week and the contact number is 09066 32212.
Emergency Department deals with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies if you need urgent medical help. They are open 24 hours a day and can be contacted by phoning 999 or 112.
Smart Recovery
SMART recovery is an evidence-based addiction recovery support group where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour.
There is a meeting every Friday evening from 7pm to 8.30pm in Vita House, Roscommon. For information you should phone Conor 086 1702912 or info@smartrecovery.ie
GROW
Grow is a Community Mental Health Movement which meets every Monday at 11am in the Community Mental Health Centre, Dublin Rd., Longford. If you are feeling lonely, isolated or suffering from stress, please feel free to attend. You can call Assumpta for any further information on 086 8114135.
St. Mary’s Church Lanesboro
Priest contacts: If you have a need to contact any one of the priests you can do so by phoning Fr. Merlyn Kenny 086 0603433 or Fr. Turlough Baxter 087 9972259.
You can also contact parish secretary Maireád Rooney by calling into the presbytery from Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30am to 2.30pm.or she can be contacted on the phone at 3321166.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock: The annual Ardagh and Clonmacnois Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday next 1st September. Ceremonies will commence with the anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm. Mass will take place at 3pm and this will be followed by the Rosary Procession at 4pm. The Pilgrimage will be led by Bishop Paul Connell. There is a Diocesan bus service from Lanesboro and the return fare is €15. Please contact Maireád at the parish office 3321166 or call to the office.
Relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes: The Relics of St. Bernadette of Lourdes will be taken to Ireland and to each diocese. The relics will be in St. Mel’s Cathedral on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th September. The purpose of the visit is to bring Lourdes for the Faithful, who may not be able to travel to Lourdes. It will be in the cathedral to share in some of the atmosphere of prayer and consolation that pilgrims experience, while they are there.
Rosary at the Grotto: Everyone is invited to go along to recite the Rosary at the statue of Our Lady of Fatima beside Cloontuskert old graveyard. The Rosary will be recited on the first Saturday of each month, this coming month 7th September, in accordance with Our Lady’s wishes.
Adoration: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues on Tuesday’s after 10am Mass until 8pm in the church. People are welcome to join the Adoration group any time. Those who do a designated hour are requested to arrange a substitute in they happen to be able to attend at their designated time.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: Confession time in the Prayer Room takes place on the first Friday of each month from 6.30pm to 7pm.The next opportunity is on Friday 6th September.
Local Health Service: Local Heath Service is available at Roscommon University Hospital. The service will deal with urgent and routine health problems. The Freephone phone number to ring is 1800 700700. For more information you are invited to contact Helena at Helena.madden@alone.ie or phone 086 0145 829.
Smart Recovery: Smart recovery is an evidence based addiction recovery group, where participants learn self-empowering techniques to aid their recovery by overcoming addictive behaviour. There is a meeting every Friday evening in Vita House in Roscommon Town from 7pm to 8.30pm. For information contact Conor at 086 1702919 or info@smartrecovery.ie
Kilgefin Parish Notes
Contact: Fr Daniel can be contacted at 089 270 6060
Spiritual Nourishment: On every First Friday of each month the priest is obliged to visit all the sick, elderly and homebound in the parish to pray with them and give them Holy Communion. Family members are encouraged to inform Fr. Dan about their loved ones in need of spiritual nourishment.
Confessions: The Sacrament of Reconciliation/Penance (Confessions) is very important for all Catholics. We are always encouraged to go to confessions to say sorry for the wronds (sin) in our lives and to experience God’s healing through forgiveness by the priest. Parishoners can always come to confessions after mass on Friday’s 10.30am or any time convenient to you.
Brothers of Charity: Are you interested in supporting someone with an intellectual disability, to be part of the community in which they live? If you are interested in volunteering in the Brothers of Charity Services in Roscommon, please contact Edel Crehan on edel.crehan@bocsi.ie or phone 0874887314 for more details.
Rosary at the Grotto: Everyone is invited to go along to recite the Rosary at the statue of Our Lady of Fatima beside Cloontuskert old graveyard. The Rosary will be recited on the first Saturday of each month, this coming month 7th September, in accordance with Our Lady’s wishes.
Medjugorje: The Pilgrimage to Medjugorje will take place from 9th to the 16th October. The flights will be from Knock to Mostar and the return from Split to Knock. Full board will be €855 per person sharing and the single supple will be €150. To book you are advised to phone Marian pilgrimages 01 8788159 or Tom Moran 086-0815635. The Spiritual Director is Fr. Christy McHugh.